Blitch accepted a plea deal of three years probation and a $100,000 fine for fixing cases and making illegal payments to employees.

"We cannot rightfully expect members of the public to respect the law and remain confident in the integrity and impartiality of our judiciary where judges themselves do not respect and follow the law," the Supreme Court wrote in its decision stripping Blitch of his law license. "No matter how one looks at this case, Blitch's felony conviction deals a serious blow to the public's confidence in the legal system."

Another judge voluntarily gave up his license.

Former Senior U.S. District Judge Jack Camp of Atlanta pleaded guilty last year to drug possession and other charges related to his buying drugs for a stripper who was secretly working with authorities.

Camp faces up to four years in prison for the crime but likely will serve substantially less.